Hyrule Warriors Features Multiple Playable Characters

As Famitsu confirms a Japanese release date, more story and gameplay details about the next Zelda game are revealed.

Hyrule Warriors, the Dynasty Warriors-style Zelda spinoff due out on August 14 in Japan, will feature multiple playable characters, including Link and Impa, in an original story focused on rescuing Zelda from the villainous witch Shia.

In Hyrule Warriors, Link is a soldier-in-training who is called into action when Shia kidnaps Zelda. He is paired up with the army captain Impa, who is just one of numerous playable characters. Others were shown off in screenshots, including a villain who might be related to the Ocarina of Time boss Volvagia.

For the most part, Hyrule Warriors appears to stay true to the Dynasty Warriors formula, with numerous upgradeable weapons and abilities that change each character. Z-targeting, a 3D Zelda staple, will work its way into the gameplay, however, and can be used to focus on specific enemies and weak points. Link's trademark spin attack will also factor into the combat. The Wii U GamePad will be used as an inventory menu in single-player, but in two-player co-op, one player can use the TV and the other can use the GamePad screen to play.

Hyrule Warriors is being developed by Omega Force, the studio responsible for most of the Warriors games, and Team Ninja, who last worked with Nintendo on Metroid: Other M. Eiji Aonuma, the Zelda series producer, is overseeing the project.

According to the developers, Hyrule Warriors is 70% complete and will be playable at E3 2014. The game is set for a summer release in North America and Europe, which means it should come before the end of September.

Dynasty Warriors games are the beat'em ups of old where all their good points and bad points are multiplied. If you keep that in mind, you might be able to enjoy one.

I do hope that Zelda isn't a prisoner for long as I was hoping to play as here in the story proper (and not in some free-to-pick mode). That Team Ninja is helping Omega Force is a mixed blessing. The combat should be more interesting than other Warriors games. However, the breasts and cleavage will be more prominent. That Twin Rova character in that Famitsu screen grab is quite an eyefull.

Yoshio Sakamoto was responsible for designing Other M and writing the script. I don't see how Team Ninja's involvement negatively affects Hyrule Warriors.

That said, Hyrule Warriors was looking extremely early when it was unveiled. I'm surprised it's coming out so soon. I saw the new screenshots. It's looking better, but I'd like to see video from the more complete build.

Yoshio Sakamoto was responsible for designing Other M and writing the script. I don't see how Team Ninja's involvement negatively affects Hyrule Warriors.

I wasn't just referring to Other M, which had major mechanical issues along with its legendarily awful script. I was also referring to the other games Team Ninja has made, such as their recent Ninja Gaiden 3. Team Ninja hasn't been known for making "good" games in quite some time.

This guy: http://www.famitsu.com/images/000/053/621/537c998637ac3.html

That's the dude who supposedly is somehow related to Volvagia. Maybe?

Anyway, I'm way more interested in this game after hearing more about it. I'm not sold on it, but this is a big step past my shoulder shrugging when it was first announced. I haven't played too many Warriors games, but I'd always find them fun for a little bit. If they actually make it feel "Zelda-like" then I imagine it might hook me more.

Looking forward to it. Just hope there is a level where Tingle is there - and your mission is to sever his head from his body, permanently killing him off from the Zelda universe. This will be the only part of the game that will be considered cannon for the timeline.

I'm much more excited for this title now. It may replace Watch Dogs as my summer purchase. Nintendo's direct oversight should ensure the game has much more polish. Especially after the flop of Other M I am sure Nintendo will be much more directly involved in this game.

I'm much more excited for this title now. It may replace Watch Dogs as my summer purchase. Nintendo's direct oversight should ensure the game has much more polish. Especially after the flop of Other M I am sure Nintendo will be much more directly involved in this game.

I'm with you except I'm not sure it wok release in the summer here will it?